Kylian Mbappé’s injury hit Real Madrid hard. It wasn’t just another setback. As this newspaper previously reported, the Frenchman’s knee sprain was the final straw after weeks of waiting for improvement in a situation club executives consider increasingly troubling.
The first major decision: bringing Niko Mihić back into the medical staff of the first team.
How many injuries has Real Madrid had in 2025/26?
Mbappé’s issue was Madrid’s 23rd injury of the season. Inside the club, the consensus was clear: something had to change to stem the avalanche of fitness problems - but more importantly, to ensure that diagnoses and recovery plans are the best possible for each scenario and each player.
What will Mihić’s Real Madrid role be?
As reported by Spanish radio station Cadena Cope, Mihić has been reinstated to the first team’s day‑to‑day operations, returning to full‑time work at Valdebebas.
The doctor, who worked at Madrid under former head coaches Zinedine Zidane and Carlo Ancelotti, is back, although the truth is he never fully severed ties - he had continued to collaborate as an external advisor to the club. Now, he will oversee everything related to the first team’s medical management.
Mihić is someone the club’s president, Florentino Pérez, trusts completely. His main mission upon returning to the front line is clear: minimize the impact of injuries on Xabi Alonso’s squad.